Dear
Friends,
This
is my last message in the Anchor to you as your Interim Rector. That
sounds so final but it really is not. It certainly is bitter
sweet. On October 5, I will be incredibly sad to officially
say farewell to the Episcopal Church of the Advent/St. John’s
Chapel after more than five years amongst you but I am not officially
saying good by to the good people of Advent. Although I will
not be present liturgically or pastorally, I will still live in my
home at Cape May Beach and we are friends.
It is exciting because what we have been praying for and working
towards has come to fruition with the election of The Rev. John Mitchell
as your new rector. I told him that he is so fortunate to be
getting such a jewel of a parish. You can look forward to continuing
your journey together. The Holy Spirit is expecting great things
from Advent and so am I!
On the last Sunday of August and the first two Sundays in September,
The Rev. Doug Eberly will be your supply priest. I will be
on my long planned for trip to Russia, returning September 17. I
will certainly look forward to my Sundays with you when I return.
With my love of animals, it certainly is apropos that my last liturgical
act (except, of course, Thursday noon) be the annual St. Francis
day blessing of the animals at 1pm on Oct. 5. Annie, my retired
racing Greyhound, and Minnie, my Havanese, will be in attendance
as will my daughter, Rhonda and my granddog, Cheyenne. We
may need to ask for help (handling three dogs can be difficult!)
We all owe a grand round of applause to all who have been involved
in the calling of Father Mitchell as your rector: all the members
of the profile committee, the discernment committee, the vestry,
the staff and Fr. Kirk, the search consultant. Thank you all and
thank you God!
One of my favorite hymns keeps coming to mind.
Glorious things of thee are spoken, Zion, city of our God……See!
The streams of living water, springing from eternal love, well supply thy sons
and daughters and all fear of want removed….. 522
The Hymnal 1982
